By: Kemo Kanyi
Gambian author Yusupha Jaiteh has reaffirmed his position that leaders, especially presidents must be challenged if they are not serving the national interests.
It could be recalled that Mr. Jaiteh earlier told The Voice that any preacher or political operative, who calls on Muslims and non-Muslims to campaign and vote for an incompetent leader, commits a grave sin. He reiterated that it is misleading to preach that Islam advices people to follow their leaders without specifying on which conditions such leaders should be followed.
Mr Jaiteh further argued that it is equally sinful to preach, campaign , or vote in favour of a leader who is not worthy of handling leadership positions.
Meanwhile, speaking to this medium, the Campaign Manager of the UDP Karafa Sonko, said his position is that presidents must be challenged, especially when they make decisions that are not line with the interest of the country.
“Yes, I agreed with him [author Jaiteh]. People should campaign against incompetency and vote in favour of a competent leader. Islam advocates for good leadership because these leaders can defend the truth and be God-fearing. Allah himself doesn’t like a leader who supports corruption and tribalism,” Sonko said in an interview with The Voice.
Lamin Demba, campaign manager of the National Unity Party (NUP), agreed that leaders should be challenged as stated by Mr Jaiteh.
“We must challenge them because that is why we have formed political parties to contest against them. As a politician, if you don’t oppose the president, how could you rise to the office of the president? ”he mentioned.
Demba stated that people trust in the leadership they elected, but along the way, they will realise their incompetence, adding that electorates should not be blamed for the incompetence of leaders.
